Meet the stars

George

Age: 21

Occupation: Musical theatre actor

Hobbies: writing, movies, walks (onoy with a dog)

Why I took part in the video: When I was diagnosed with HIV, I didn't think it happened to young people. I decided that I wanted to become an advocate to show the world what living with HIV is really like.

Shyelle

Jim & Matthew

Age: 54 / 50

Occupation: Theatre producer / IT consultant and hair stylist

Hobbies: Theatre, travel, antiques, food and wine

Why I took part in the video: I found love late in life (49) with an HIV-negative man, and I am now engaged to him. I think it’s important to stress to people that being HIV-positive and middle-aged(!) doesn’t necessarily mean you have no hope of a happy, fulfilling life. I also think it’s important to ‘come out’ as HIV-positive, just as it was important for me to come out as gay many years ago.

James

Age: 28

Occupation: Porn star

Hobbies: climbing, travelling, horse riding, space and astronomy

Why I took part in the video:Compared to other positive guys I think I've had a pretty easy ride. Don't get me wrong, the diagnosis and everything that was going around that time was far, far from plain sailing but through it all I developed an outlook on life that I'm now working towards sharing with the world. Stigma only exists if it is exists inside of yourself. Get happy, get comfortable and stop sticking on the ignorance of a population who probably (and hopefully) won't ever HIV stumble into their path. Those who understand the subject will stand with you. Those who don't won't. The only thing separating the two is a difference in education.

Ruaidhri

Age: 27

Occupation: Sales manager and writer

Hobbies: Gym, writing, The Golden Girls

Why I took part in the video: I really wanted to take part as I felt it incredibly important to promote the term "I'm Living". It sounds and feels incredibly empowering and needs to be used and referred to far more.

Nicky

Age: 26

Occupation: Dancer

Hobbies: travelling, socialising

Why I took part in the video: Since becoming HIV-positive last year I've always wanted to show and share with people everything I was being educated about - e.g. How it's not as bad as what is used to be and how it's not changing my life too much.

Paul

Age: 27

Occupation: Web Developer

Hobbies: Reading, gaming, boozing, and rock climbing

Why I took part in the video: I've been positive for 15 months now (undetectable for 11). I have friends who worked in sexual health so knew the basics about HIV and treatment etc, but still found help and comfort in videos and campaigns. I wanted to help give back and let others know it's ok and you can keep going despite your status. This is also my way of "coming out" of the HIV closet, I have friends who know about my status and I don't keep it secret but I still feel nervous whenever I tell someone new. This way I won't need to tell any more friends, they'll just know and get an initial positive (excuse the pun) view on it.

Tom

Age: 30

Occupation: HIV activist

Hobbies: travelling, photography, gin

Why I took part in the video: I decided to take part in the video to help tackle preconceptions around what it means to be HIV-positive. There are over 110,000 people living with HIV in the UK, and we’re all unique. I am an activist and I am living with HIV.

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